Ray Longo Thinks Anderson Silva Will Diminish His Legacy With Excuses
Anderson Silva’s recent comments about Chris Weidman’s UFC 168 win have sparked a lot of debate among MMA fans. The former 185lb. champion claims that ‘The All-American’ got lucky and that he feels he would have won their second bout had he not been injured.
The comments certainly captured the attention of fans and pundits, but also that of Weidman’s striking coach Ray Longo. MMAJunkie had the scoop on Longo as he discussed the former champ’s controversial statements:
“I think these guys just aren’t in touch with reality, and they have to learn how to lose properly and grow from your losses, and move on – instead of making excuses,” Longo said. “Earn your way back up, correct your mistakes. That’s what really being a champion is. One win or loss doesn’t make a champion, but certainly making excuses isn’t being a champion, either.”
Silva’s excuses are not something that we are accustomed to, especially considering that he had never lost in the UFC prior to fighting Chris Weidman at UFC 162. Longo continued:
“My initial feeling was, wow, this guy,” Longo said. “I always had a lot of respect for Anderson. But the first fight, he had his feet the wrong way, he was leaning too much, (and) he knows what he did wrong. This time, Weidman didn’t do anything, and he got hurt.”
“I think the guy deserves a legacy. I really hope he takes a higher ground and just admits that the kid beat him, fair and square, twice, and go on and live with all your accolades. I think it’s going to diminish his legacy if he keeps making excuses, because I don’t think that’s what a champion should do.”
It always seems hard for fans to accept that their favorite fighter is starting to get close to retirement, although this may not be the case for Silva. Longo feels that there could eventually be a third match between Silva and Weidman, but in probably won’t be in the immediate future:
“Me personally, (Silva is) going to have to earn his way back up, and maybe by the time he’s 45, we’ll be waiting for him.”
As we sit and wait for Vitor Belfort to get his shot at Weidman’s strap, all ‘The Spider’ can do is sit out and recover from his horrific injury. It remains to be seen if the MMA world passes him by during that time.
